Maine College of Health Professions reports a 100% licensure pass rate for its practical nursing certificate, but that Lewiston program is one of just three LPN programs covered in the ranking. The three campuses are ranked by NCLEX-PN pass rate, from a nine-month community college program to a 10-month private diploma.
Behind that narrow roster sits a tight-knit nursing workforce with heavy demand in rural clinics, home health, and long-term care settings. Employers compete for new LPNs, yet prerequisites, clinical site availability, and geography keep the applicant pool selective.
With only three ranked programs, choosing a school is often choosing a region. Maine's LPN pipeline is small and competitive, and job opportunities follow the same map.
Maine's Highest-Ranked LPN Programs by NCLEX-PN Pass Rate
Maine licenses practical nurses through a short list of approved programs, and the schools that consistently move graduates past the NCLEX-PN on the first attempt tend to carry the strongest reputation among employers. Statewide first-time pass rates for Maine-educated candidates have run comfortably above the national average in recent reporting years, but each program's numbers rest on small cohorts, so one class can swing a percentage quickly. Heading into 2026, these are the state's main campus-based and hybrid routes to an LPN credential.
How we ranked these
- Institution-wide graduation and completion rates
- First-time NCLEX-PN pass rates
- Program accreditation status
- Net price and tuition cost
- Program length and scheduling flexibility
- NCLEX first-time pass rates published by the state boards of nursing — ncsbn.org
- IPEDS institutional survey data from NCES covering graduation rates, student-faculty ratios and net price — nces.ed.gov
- College Scorecard graduate earnings — collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Internal program database
- Independent editorial research
Maine College of Health Professions
Maine College of Health Professions is a small, health-focused campus in Lewiston built entirely around clinical training, and its practical nursing certificate is the school's flagship entry point into the field. Students move through roughly a year of coursework, with prerequisites in anatomy, psychology, and writing feeding into medical-surgical, mental health, and pediatric clinical rotations. Interprofessional education runs through every semester, and the program reported a 100 percent first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate in 2023, though the cohort was small enough that a single candidate swings the number. State workforce listings show the same per-credit rate for Maine and non-Maine students, so residency does not change the tuition bill.
- ACEN-accredited practical nursing certificate
- Roughly 35 credits split between nursing and general education
- Prerequisites in anatomy, psychology, writing, and academic navigation
- Interprofessional education required every semester
- Clinical rotations in medical-surgical, mental health, and pediatric care
- Coursework completed on the Lewiston campus, not online
- 100 percent first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate reported for 2023
- Graduates hired in long-term care, home health, and similar settings
Practical Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Northern Maine Community College
Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle runs a nine-month practical nursing certificate that leans heavily on simulation and lab time before students step into partner clinical sites. The college charges no application fee, and the certificate is designed as a deliberate stepping stone: graduates can return for the associate degree in nursing once they have work experience. Admission is selective, requiring recommendations, supplemental questions written for the nursing faculty, and an interview with the admissions committee. Tuition is tiered by residency, so Maine students pay noticeably less than out-of-state applicants, and the college notes that many graduates finish without taking on debt.
- ACEN-accredited practical nursing certificate
- Nine-month program with no application fee
- Admission requires recommendations, supplemental questions, and an interview
- Simulation center and nursing lab for hands-on skills practice
- Clinical placements in partner hospitals and care facilities
- Direct pathway into the Associate Degree in Nursing at the same college
- Many students graduate debt-free, per the college
- Prepares students for NCLEX-PN licensure
Practical Nursing Certificate — On-Campus
Beal University
Beal University in Bangor delivers its practical nursing diploma as a hybrid program, with theory online and the hands-on labs and clinical rotations happening on campus and in area facilities. The diploma was approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing in 2025, making it one of the newest PN pathways in the state, and it is structured as a ten-month modular sequence with day, evening, and online scheduling options. The program holds pre-accreditation status from the NLN CNEA and is listed as an approved workforce training program, which matters for students pursuing state workforce funding. Early state board reporting shows its first cohorts passing the NCLEX-PN at rates close to the statewide average, though the program is too new for a multi-year track record.
- Approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing in 2025
- Ten-month modular diploma sequence
- First two months of coursework completed online
- Day, evening, and online scheduling options
- Small class sizes taught by experienced nursing faculty
- Clinical rotations in hospitals, nursing homes, and community settings
- Holds pre-accreditation status from the NLN CNEA
- Listed as an approved workforce training program
Practical Nursing Diploma — Online
LPN Tuition in Maine: A Side-by-Side Cost Breakdown
Tuition for LPN programs in Maine varies widely depending on the type of institution. The most affordable option is a community college certificate, while private institutions carry higher sticker prices but may offer more financial aid. Keep in mind that the net price figures below reflect institution-wide averages for all students receiving aid, not program-specific costs, so your actual out-of-pocket expense may differ. Nationally, certificate-level practical nursing programs at public two-year colleges typically cost between $8,000 and $15,000 in tuition alone, placing Northern Maine Community College well below that benchmark. Private institutions in Maine, however, land above the national median, making financial aid and scholarship research especially important for students considering those schools.
| School | City | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition | Avg. Institutional Net Price (All Programs) | Sector |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Maine Community College | Presque Isle | $4,156 | $7,036 | $7,181 | Public, 2-Year |
| Maine College of Health Professions | Lewiston | $20,952 | $20,952 | $26,312 | Private, Nonprofit |
| Beal University | Bangor | Not published | Not published | $40,109 | Private, For-Profit |
Quickest Paths to an LPN Certificate in Maine
Practical nursing training in Maine comes in several shapes: a three-semester certificate, a one-year campus certificate, and a compressed 10-month diploma. Both routes land graduates at the same NCLEX-PN exam, but the calendar, weekly rhythm, and clinical intensity differ meaningfully.
How Long Is LPN School in Maine?
Most Maine LPN programs run roughly 10 to 12 months of full-time study. Beal University in Bangor advertises a 10-month practical nursing diploma built on a modular, accelerated schedule, with the first four to six months completed online before clinicals begin. Maine College of Health Professions in Lewiston runs a one-year campus-based certificate, with prerequisite coursework (anatomy, psychology, writing) required before entry.
Kennebec Valley Community College takes a slightly different shape: three semesters (Fall, Winter, Summer) totaling 33 core credits and 59.5 core contact hours, or 45 credits and 73.5 contact hours once prerequisites are counted. Semester loads are 13, 10, and 10 credits , a steady, not compressed, pace.
Clinical Hours and Scheduling Formats
Clinical requirements are set by each program rather than a single statewide floor. The Maine Board of Nursing does not publish a fixed minimum clinical-hour requirement for LPN programs in its currently accessible rules, though it does cap simulation at no more than 50% of clinical hours for prelicensure programs. In practice, expect several hundred hours of hands-on rotation across med-surg, mental health, long-term care, and pediatrics.
Scheduling flexibility is thin but not absent. Beal offers day, evening, and online components, which suits working CNAs. KVCC and MCHP run primarily daytime, full-time cohorts with fixed clinical placements. Part-time LPN tracks are rare in Maine; most programs assume a full-time commitment for the duration.
A Note on Timing Data
Program length and clinical-hour figures here come from published school catalogs and program pages, not from the LVN/LPN Programs Ranking Methodology. Always confirm current semester structure and clinical requirements directly with the admissions office before enrolling, since curricula are revised on multi-year cycles.
Explore other Maine related topics
Related Articles
Online and Hybrid LPN Programs Available in Maine
The appeal of a fully online LPN program is easy to understand: study from home, keep working, earn a nursing credential on your schedule, or prepare for LPN to RN bridge programs in Maine. But Maine's licensing rules make that promise hard to deliver. The Maine Board of Nursing requires every LPN student to complete supervised, hands-on clinical hours in real patient-care settings, so no Maine-approved program is truly online-only.
Why fully online LPN programs are rare in Maine
Clinical skills like medication administration, wound care, and patient transfers must be assessed in person. Program-level accreditation and board approval also hinge on documented lab and clinical time. That also means a six-month fully online LPN program is not realistic in Maine: the required clinical sequence alone spans multiple months. Any school claiming a fully online Maine LPN program is likely describing an out-of-state curriculum or one that still sends you to a Maine clinical site.
What hybrid delivery looks like week to week
Maine's public community college LPN tracks are the closest thing to online flexibility. In a typical hybrid structure, you complete theory lectures, pharmacology modules, and discussion work online, often asynchronously, then report to campus for scheduled skills labs and simulation days. Clinical rotations follow at hospitals, long-term care facilities, and clinics. The rhythm is usually several hours of online coursework per week plus one or two dedicated lab or clinical days. Each campus sets its own schedule, so ask whether online work is live or self-paced before committing.
Out-of-state online programs: proceed carefully
Some private and out-of-state schools market online practical nursing to Maine residents. Before enrolling, verify three things: the program is approved by the Maine Board of Nursing, it has secured clinical placement sites in Maine, and it meets state authorization requirements for distance education. Otherwise you could complete coursework and then find you cannot sit for the NCLEX-PN or complete clinical hours locally.
Steps to Get Into a Maine LPN Program
Admission requirements vary across Maine's LPN programs, so always verify details directly with your target school. The sequence below reflects the general pathway most applicants follow. CNA holders should ask about advanced placement or credit for prior learning, as some programs recognize hands-on clinical experience during the admissions process.
Common Questions About Maine LPN Programs
Maine's practical nursing pathway has specific state requirements that differ from many neighboring states. Here are answers to some of the most common questions prospective LPN students ask about licensure, compact privileges, and how prior healthcare experience factors in.
What are the requirements to become an LPN in Maine?
You must be at least 18 years old and graduate from a Board-approved practical nursing program. After completing your education, you apply through the Maine Nurse Portal, submit a background check ($52, valid for 90 days), and pay a $75 application fee. You then register for the NCLEX-PN exam ($200 to Pearson VUE) and can prepare with NCLEX-PN Practice Test Questions. Once you pass, the Board issues your license, which renews every two years through an attestation-based competency process with a $50 renewal fee.
Is Maine part of the Nurse Licensure Compact?
Yes. Maine is an enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact (eNLC) member, having implemented the compact in January 2018. If Maine is your primary state of residence, you may be eligible for a multistate LPN license that lets you practice in other eNLC states without obtaining additional licenses. If you are relocating to Maine from another compact state, you will need to complete a Declaration of Primary Residence to transfer your home state designation.
Can CNA experience count toward LPN program requirements in Maine?
The Maine State Board of Nursing does not formally recognize CNA certification as a licensure requirement or prerequisite for LPN programs, though CNA vs LPN vs RN distinctions can still shape admissions. That said, individual schools may view CNA experience favorably during admissions, since it demonstrates hands-on patient care skills. Check directly with your preferred program, because admission preferences vary from school to school and are set at the institutional level, not by the Board.
LPN Licensing in Maine: From NCLEX-PN to Your First Job
Graduating from an approved practical nursing program feels like the finish line, but licensure by examination and licensure by endorsement are two different roads, and most new Maine graduates only qualify for one of them.
Applying to the Maine Board of Nursing
Once your program confirms completion, you apply online directly through the Maine Board of Nursing. There is no agent or school staff who can file this for you. First-time exam applicants pay a non-refundable application fee (recent 2026 guidance lists $75, though some Board materials still reference $50, so confirm the current amount before submitting). Endorsement applicants, meaning LPNs already licensed elsewhere, pay $50. Either way, state law caps this fee at $100. You'll also submit a color headshot and disclose any criminal or professional history, regardless of outcome.
Background Checks and the NCLEX-PN
After your application is filed, you'll schedule a background check through IdentoGo for $52, valid for 90 days. Separately, Pearson VUE charges $200 to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Budget roughly $250 total for the exam pathway before licensing. The Board's current materials don't publish a guaranteed processing timeline or confirm temporary practice permits for LPNs, so plan your job start date with some cushion rather than assuming immediate authorization.
Compact Status and Renewal
Maine participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact, which provides LPN/LVN Reciprocity, so a Maine-issued multistate LPN license generally lets you practice in other compact states without separate licensure. Note that residents of other compact states cannot apply for a Maine license by endorsement; they practice here under their home state's multistate license instead.
Once licensed, renewal currently runs $50 per cycle. Maine uses an attestation-based competency process for renewal; confirm current requirements directly with the Board since published details focus mainly on initial licensure.
What LPNs Earn Across Maine's Regions
According to 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the statewide median annual salary for LPNs in Maine is $73,200, with roughly 760 licensed practical nurses employed across the state. That figure sits well above the national median for LPNs, which hovers near $59,730, meaning Maine practical nurses enjoy a meaningful wage premium of more than $13,000 per year. Metro-level breakdowns are not currently published for this occupation in Maine, so the statewide figures below offer the clearest available snapshot. For context, the table also includes registered nurse wages so readers considering an LPN to RN bridge path can gauge the earning potential of advancement.
| Occupation | Employment in Maine | 25th Percentile Salary | Median Salary | 75th Percentile Salary | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) | 760 | $63,530 | $73,200 | $77,420 | $72,110 |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | 16,540 | $79,890 | $86,990 | $101,460 | $91,700 |
From LPN to RN: Bridge Programs Connected to Maine Schools
Six Maine institutions currently offer documented LPN to RN Bridge Programs leading to an associate degree in nursing: Maine College of Health Professions in Lewiston, Kennebec Valley Community College, Eastern Maine Community College, Central Maine Community College, Southern Maine Community College, and Northern Maine Community College. Maine College of Health Professions lists its track as "Practical Nursing (LPN) & Bridge-RN," one of the few programs in the state that names the bridge explicitly in admissions materials.
Typical Structure and Timeline
Maine LPN Bridge Programs generally run 18 to 21 months from entry to graduation, with Kennebec Valley Community College sitting at the top of that range at roughly 21 months. Once prerequisites and advanced-placement credit for prior LPN coursework are settled, the nursing sequence itself commonly takes 12 to 18 months full-time and 18 to 24 months part-time. Delivery formats vary by school, and individual programs may combine campus clinicals with online theory coursework, but school-specific format details should be confirmed directly with each nursing department before applying.
Why the Bridge Matters
The wage gap between LPNs and RNs in Maine is the strongest argument for choosing the right LPN/LVN bridge program. Registered nurses in the state consistently earn well above what LPNs bring home in the same facilities. For a working LPN, adding roughly a year and a half of coursework, often while continuing to work part-time, can translate into a meaningful lifetime earnings increase.
Before committing, ask each program three questions: how many of your existing LPN credits transfer in1, whether current licensure and recent clinical work are required for advanced placement2, and whether part-time scheduling is available for nurses who plan to keep working through the program.
In Maine, an LPN license isn't a ceiling, it's a launch point: bridge pathways make the jump to RN a matter of months, not years.
